Carney says conversation with Trump ‘very constructive’

By Joshua Freeman

Published: March 28, 2025

Prime Minister Mark Carney says he had a “very constructive” discussion with U.S. President Donald Trump Friday and that “comprehensive negotiations about a new economic and security relationship” are expected to begin immediately after the federal election.

“The Prime Minister and the President had a very constructive conversation about the relationship between our two countries,” Carney said in a statement.

The two men spoke Friday morning by phone, the first time the two leaders have spoken since Carney became prime minister on March 14.

The call came after Trump said earlier this week that the U.S. would impose a 25 per cent tariff on vehicles made outside of the U.S., starting on April 2.

Carney said he informed Trump in the call that Canada will implement retaliatory tariffs in response to his latest move.

https://x.com/atrupar/status/1905346726812152298

Nevertheless, Trump said earlier Friday that he had an “extremely productive call” with Carney and that the two men found many points of agreement.

“I just finished speaking with Prime Minister Mark Carney, of Canada. It was an extremely productive call, we agree on many things, and will be meeting immediately after Canada’s upcoming Election to work on elements of Politics, Business, and all other factors, that will end up being great for both the United States of America and Canada,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

“Thank you for your attention to this matter!”

Talks between International Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc and U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick “will intensify” in the interim in order “to address immediate concerns,” Carney said.

He said he told Trump he would be “working hard for the next month to earn the right to represent Canada.”

Carney stepped away from his campaign Thursday to deal with Trump’s latest threats, meeting with his cabinet in Ottawa.

He is also expected to have a call with Canada’s premiers Friday to discuss the trade war.

While Trump characterized the call as productive, he has proven fickle and unpredictable in his dealings with Canada so far, announcing tariffs one day, only to announce delays or exemptions several days later.

Trump was less than complimentary toward Carney’s predecessor, former prime minister Justin Trudeau. The U.S. president frequently referred to him as “governor Justin Trudeau” and accused him of using trade discussions with the U.S. to try to stay in power.